A DRUG addict who went on a two-day burglary spree in which he stole an elderly woman's Christmas cards has been jailed for 40 months.

Alan Upton was so desperate for a fix he plundered several homes in Bishopsworth over two days in December last year, Bristol Crown Court was told.

He was linked to a break-in after a police sniffer dog followed his scent trail and forensic investigators found his DNA on a discarded cigarette end.

Upton, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to four burglaries, an attempted burglary and theft.

The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Neil Ford QC told him: "It is accepted that you offending was Category One under sentencing guidelines, that is greater harm and higher culpability.

"Premises were occupied and there was significant planning."

Upton said "Thank you, your honour" as he was led to the cells.

Sam Jones, prosecuting, said "third striker" Upton, who had two previous burglary convictions, broke into 80-year-old Sheila Ford's home in Westward Road and she found him in her spare bedroom at 3am.

He pulled his hood down and ran for it, but she found he had pocketed an ornamental watering can, £60 loose change and unopened Christmas cards.

Mr Jones said an hour later Upton entered a home in Penny Croft Avenue, where householder Denise Jones opened her eyes to see Upton leaning over her.

He was chased from the house by her adult son, having grabbed £7,000 worth of jewellery and a cash box, and a police dog tracked his scent to an incriminating cigarette butt nearby, as well as discarded Christmas cards from the first break-in.

The court heard that, hours later, Upton burgled the home of Christine Headington in Kings Head Lane and pocketed a mobile phone, jewellery, electrical equipment and a handbag containing gift cards, bank cards and travel cards.

Mr Jones said that shortly after that Upton struck at the home of 75-year-old Janet Godbeer in Ashton Drive, where she awoke to discover her handbag and purse had been snatched as well as letters.

The next day Upton tried but failed to break into a home in Brampton Close, the court heard, but managed to plunder cash and an iPod worth £300 from a van parked on a driveway.

He was arrested after the DNA evidence was established, but also after police received a tip-off about him.

Police picked him up from an address where he was wearing outdoor clothing and had a head torch.

Timothy Rose, defending, said the root cause of the offending was a "very significant" drug problem.

Mr Rose said: "It was drugs that night that fuelled his behaviour and which led him into this successive pattern of offending.

"He has tried to access drug treatment without success.

"He faces a significant prison sentence. He sincerely hopes he will be able to access that in prison prior to his release and try to rehabilitate himself."